Care England has written to MPs requesting immediate and targeted support to prevent a “widespread catastrophe” in social care due to soaring energy bills.

In his letter Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, called on the government to take three key steps to support providers, namely:

• The introduction of a per bed energy price cap equivalent to the proposed domestic energy price cap or the reimbursement of providers for the increased energy costs incurred by other means

• The extension of the £400 energy rebate to vulnerable people in care and supported housing, introducing parity in the way they are treated compared with those living in their own homes

• The removal of VAT and the Green Levy on energy bills.

Figures released by Box Power CIC and Care England show providers faced a 683% rise in energy costs over the last 12 months with gas and electricity costs per bed soaring from £660 to £5,166, representing an additional £2 billion across the sector.

Green said: “Current packages of government support ignore the social care sector entirely. Care providers, despite paying the same VAT and Green Levy rates on energy bills as domestic settings, are not subject to the domestic price cap and are not set to benefit from the £400 energy rebate.

“While these measures are incredibly important to protect public health and support struggling households across the country, parity must be introduced in the treatment of the most vulnerable in our communities. Without immediate and targeted support from government, this energy crisis poses a very severe risk to the sustainability of care services across the country.”

A government spokesperson said: “No national government can control the global factors pushing up the price of energy, but we will continue to support businesses, including care homes, in navigating the months ahead.  

“This includes doubling our support for high energy usage businesses, reducing employer national insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance, slashing fuel duty, introducing a 50% business rates relief and putting the brakes on bill increases by freezing the business rates multiplier – worth £4.6 billion over the next five years.

“This year, we have also made available £3.7 billion of additional funding to local authorities, which they can spend on adult social care.”